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Shadowdance #4
A Dance of Shadows
From USA Today bestselling author David Dalglish
"Prove that you can stand against the darkness and live."
In book #4 of the Shadowdance series, Haern is the King's Watcher, born an assassin only to become the city of Veldaren's protector against the thief guilds.
When Lord Victor Kane attacks the city, determined to stamp out all corruption, foreign gangs pour in amidst the chaos in an attempt to overthrow the current lords of the underworld.
And when a mysterious killer known as the Widow begins mutilating thieves, paranoia engulfs the city. Haern knows someone is behind the turmoil, pulling strings. If he doesn't find out who -- and soon -- his beloved city will burn.
Light or darkness: where will the line be drawn?
Fantasy author David Dalglish spins a tale of retribution and darkness, and an underworld reaching for ultimate power in this fourth novel of the Shadowdance series, previously released as Blood of the Underworld.
"Prove that you can stand against the darkness and live."
In book #4 of the Shadowdance series, Haern is the King's Watcher, born an assassin only to become the city of Veldaren's protector against the thief guilds.
When Lord Victor Kane attacks the city, determined to stamp out all corruption, foreign gangs pour in amidst the chaos in an attempt to overthrow the current lords of the underworld.
And when a mysterious killer known as the Widow begins mutilating thieves, paranoia engulfs the city. Haern knows someone is behind the turmoil, pulling strings. If he doesn't find out who -- and soon -- his beloved city will burn.
Light or darkness: where will the line be drawn?
Fantasy author David Dalglish spins a tale of retribution and darkness, and an underworld reaching for ultimate power in this fourth novel of the Shadowdance series, previously released as Blood of the Underworld.
468 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 1, 2012
155 people are currently reading
3198 people want to read
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May 25, 2014
Full review over at Fantasy Book Critic
ANALYSIS: As with the previous three books that have been self published by the author. A Dance Of Shadows was previously reviewed here upon its release. This book is slightly different from its previous incarnation as "Blood Of The Underworld" and I'll try to highlight the non-spoilery changes as much as I can. A note of caution for readers, since this is book 4, there will be minor spoilers for the preceding titles so venture ahead only if you have read the previous books or if you don't mind spoilers.
David Dalglish’s previous books were a revelation for me as it introduced me to the author as well as his dynamic storytelling prowess. The series was supposed to focus on Haern’s origins and explore his need to become the person he is currently. It was a dark and unforgiving series that was tough on all of its characters, ruthless in character deaths and perhaps the author’s homage to Batman's beginnings. The third book however didn’t complete the arc as set by the first book and the author has spoken a bit about it in this guest post.
The trappings of the first trilogy was that a son rebelled against his father’s wishes and that was the underpinning that powered the main character as well as galvanized the readers as they wanted to see how it would end. While the trilogy didn’t exactly end on that note, the current trilogy plays out to that very end. It also serves as a bridge between the Half-Orc series, the Shadowdance trilogy as well as the Paladin series. The main theater of action would be set in the city of Veldaren primarily and also focusing on other regions as per the story dictates. The book also aims to bring together all the characters and infuse the story to make it an explosive one.
The story begins the king of Veldaren receiving a letter of intent from Victor Kane, lord of a nearby region who wishes to accomplish a task that no one has attempted so far. He wishes to rid the city of all its thieves, murderers and other scum. To do so, he has brought his own private army and is ready to start his mission. Alyssa Gemcroft has recovered from the events of the city of Angelport nearly two years ago and she has learnt to be more cunning while also growing in her economic strength. She however is unprepared for a new surprise that awaits her in the mansion of a fellow trifect member. Zusa is resilient and has constantly been the pillar of support for Alyssa in many ways however she will have to face demons and problems from her past as well and this time it might just be enough to break her. Then there’s Thren Felhorn, the greatest and most feared guild lord who is still trying to regain his lost glory and lastly there’s the Widow who is going around on a killing spree motivated by reasons stranger than most men can fathom.
Thus begins the fourth volume of the Shadowdance series which attempts to fuse the character driven storyline of its preceding titles with the epic action and intrigue of the sequel Half-orc series. This powder-keg is all set to explode and explode it does, in a spectacularly brutal onslaught. The prologue opens with a riddle and a murder and then quickly the plot threads and characters are introduced with enough of a background presented for all new readers to get caught up adequately and for returning readers to whet their memories. The highlights of David’s previous books are spectacularly present, beginning with rapid pace of the story, multiple plot lines, intriguing characterization and sharp plot twists. There's also some strong ties to "Cloak & Spider" as Thren's past history comes into play and for readers who have read the prequel novella, will gain further insight about Grayson, Thren & their common love.
The best part however, is the characterization beginning with Haern and his troubled past, this series is basically about the confrontation that has been ordained between Haern and his father. The seeds for the confrontation were laced in the first two books of the Shadowdance trilogy and it’s in this book can the reader see them coming to fruition. There’s also Alyssa, Zusa, Thren, Victor Kane and a few other characters who each have their own plans and work towards their own ends. The equally awesome part is that while the series is about the Watcher, in this book the focus is shared by many characters each of whom can be confidently considered as a compelling protagonist or antagonist (depending on how you view their story).
This multifaceted character approach makes this story come alive tremendously as the reader is kept guessing on all fronts and something is happening in each POV character thread to keep the plot tension high strung. In this regards, the plot confusion and the thriller aspect of the story really shine through. The pace of the book also seems to make the book more akin to a thriller and this is another plus point in regards to the book. I can’t say that this book has no drawbacks to it but for the type of story I like to read, it had everything; tense mystery, believable characterization, epic action and lastly a strong authorial grasp on the story. All of this along with the book’s humor that is present but in minute amounts and is character specific which makes this story a fantastic read.
Lastly while this is book 4, newer readers should have no problems jumping in and picking up the story, and for the older, returning readers this book is a crossroads of all the three previously written series thereby giving them a big crossover high. The author has commented upon this aspect in the afterword and it shows in the book as we come across a wide array of characters that confabulate and conflict to give the readers a rousing tale. The plot threads come to a reasonable conclusion at the end of this book and the reader is left with a big hint of the story direction of the next book A Dance Of Ghosts.
CONCLUSION: David Dalglish is an anomaly of sorts, his books while seeming generic are turning out to be a unique combination of dark fantasy and exciting thriller modes, thereby giving the readers a potent story and making sure they are left wanting more. I was hooked with the previous trilogy and this one does more of the same in spades. If you truly wish to discover a fantastic new author, give this book a try or if you want, start with book I of the Shadowdance trilogy and experience the origin story as its unfolds epically.
ANALYSIS: As with the previous three books that have been self published by the author. A Dance Of Shadows was previously reviewed here upon its release. This book is slightly different from its previous incarnation as "Blood Of The Underworld" and I'll try to highlight the non-spoilery changes as much as I can. A note of caution for readers, since this is book 4, there will be minor spoilers for the preceding titles so venture ahead only if you have read the previous books or if you don't mind spoilers.
David Dalglish’s previous books were a revelation for me as it introduced me to the author as well as his dynamic storytelling prowess. The series was supposed to focus on Haern’s origins and explore his need to become the person he is currently. It was a dark and unforgiving series that was tough on all of its characters, ruthless in character deaths and perhaps the author’s homage to Batman's beginnings. The third book however didn’t complete the arc as set by the first book and the author has spoken a bit about it in this guest post.
The trappings of the first trilogy was that a son rebelled against his father’s wishes and that was the underpinning that powered the main character as well as galvanized the readers as they wanted to see how it would end. While the trilogy didn’t exactly end on that note, the current trilogy plays out to that very end. It also serves as a bridge between the Half-Orc series, the Shadowdance trilogy as well as the Paladin series. The main theater of action would be set in the city of Veldaren primarily and also focusing on other regions as per the story dictates. The book also aims to bring together all the characters and infuse the story to make it an explosive one.
The story begins the king of Veldaren receiving a letter of intent from Victor Kane, lord of a nearby region who wishes to accomplish a task that no one has attempted so far. He wishes to rid the city of all its thieves, murderers and other scum. To do so, he has brought his own private army and is ready to start his mission. Alyssa Gemcroft has recovered from the events of the city of Angelport nearly two years ago and she has learnt to be more cunning while also growing in her economic strength. She however is unprepared for a new surprise that awaits her in the mansion of a fellow trifect member. Zusa is resilient and has constantly been the pillar of support for Alyssa in many ways however she will have to face demons and problems from her past as well and this time it might just be enough to break her. Then there’s Thren Felhorn, the greatest and most feared guild lord who is still trying to regain his lost glory and lastly there’s the Widow who is going around on a killing spree motivated by reasons stranger than most men can fathom.
Thus begins the fourth volume of the Shadowdance series which attempts to fuse the character driven storyline of its preceding titles with the epic action and intrigue of the sequel Half-orc series. This powder-keg is all set to explode and explode it does, in a spectacularly brutal onslaught. The prologue opens with a riddle and a murder and then quickly the plot threads and characters are introduced with enough of a background presented for all new readers to get caught up adequately and for returning readers to whet their memories. The highlights of David’s previous books are spectacularly present, beginning with rapid pace of the story, multiple plot lines, intriguing characterization and sharp plot twists. There's also some strong ties to "Cloak & Spider" as Thren's past history comes into play and for readers who have read the prequel novella, will gain further insight about Grayson, Thren & their common love.
The best part however, is the characterization beginning with Haern and his troubled past, this series is basically about the confrontation that has been ordained between Haern and his father. The seeds for the confrontation were laced in the first two books of the Shadowdance trilogy and it’s in this book can the reader see them coming to fruition. There’s also Alyssa, Zusa, Thren, Victor Kane and a few other characters who each have their own plans and work towards their own ends. The equally awesome part is that while the series is about the Watcher, in this book the focus is shared by many characters each of whom can be confidently considered as a compelling protagonist or antagonist (depending on how you view their story).
This multifaceted character approach makes this story come alive tremendously as the reader is kept guessing on all fronts and something is happening in each POV character thread to keep the plot tension high strung. In this regards, the plot confusion and the thriller aspect of the story really shine through. The pace of the book also seems to make the book more akin to a thriller and this is another plus point in regards to the book. I can’t say that this book has no drawbacks to it but for the type of story I like to read, it had everything; tense mystery, believable characterization, epic action and lastly a strong authorial grasp on the story. All of this along with the book’s humor that is present but in minute amounts and is character specific which makes this story a fantastic read.
Lastly while this is book 4, newer readers should have no problems jumping in and picking up the story, and for the older, returning readers this book is a crossroads of all the three previously written series thereby giving them a big crossover high. The author has commented upon this aspect in the afterword and it shows in the book as we come across a wide array of characters that confabulate and conflict to give the readers a rousing tale. The plot threads come to a reasonable conclusion at the end of this book and the reader is left with a big hint of the story direction of the next book A Dance Of Ghosts.
CONCLUSION: David Dalglish is an anomaly of sorts, his books while seeming generic are turning out to be a unique combination of dark fantasy and exciting thriller modes, thereby giving the readers a potent story and making sure they are left wanting more. I was hooked with the previous trilogy and this one does more of the same in spades. If you truly wish to discover a fantastic new author, give this book a try or if you want, start with book I of the Shadowdance trilogy and experience the origin story as its unfolds epically.
September 28, 2020
David Dalglish certainly knows what his readers like and continues to deliver the goods in this latest installment of the Shadow Dance series. Good, murderous, entertaining, stabby fun.
March 16, 2017
4.5
At first, when I was reading this, I thought this was going to be a carbon copy of the third book, A Dance of Mirrors, because it deals with a mysterious assassin (The Widow) that affects the characters and the city of Valdaren. However, the last 150-ish pages just seemed to turn a quick 180 and was a completely different novel from what I was expecting.
We still get the difficulties of being Haren/The Watcher as he continues to patrol his city, along with battling demons form his past, which eventually catches up to him by the end of the book (not in the way you are thinking). Also, Alyssa's and Zusa's segments were probably the more entertaining to read still and was the main reason for the action and plot twists. Victor Kane, who is introduced in this book was also a very fun and interesting character to read, as well as a tragic character when you learn of his past and true reason why he plays an important role in this book, and possibly the last two books.
The true, bad guys in here were equally fun and entertaining to read about, but I cannot name them for fear of spoilers to those interested in reading this series, which you should.
I couldn't read this book for the past couple of days because of my social life, which caused a bit of a reading slump, but those last 150 pages were just a breeze to read, as well as the first part of the book before my mini break and completion.
At first, when I was reading this, I thought this was going to be a carbon copy of the third book, A Dance of Mirrors, because it deals with a mysterious assassin (The Widow) that affects the characters and the city of Valdaren. However, the last 150-ish pages just seemed to turn a quick 180 and was a completely different novel from what I was expecting.
We still get the difficulties of being Haren/The Watcher as he continues to patrol his city, along with battling demons form his past, which eventually catches up to him by the end of the book (not in the way you are thinking). Also, Alyssa's and Zusa's segments were probably the more entertaining to read still and was the main reason for the action and plot twists. Victor Kane, who is introduced in this book was also a very fun and interesting character to read, as well as a tragic character when you learn of his past and true reason why he plays an important role in this book, and possibly the last two books.
The true, bad guys in here were equally fun and entertaining to read about, but I cannot name them for fear of spoilers to those interested in reading this series, which you should.
I couldn't read this book for the past couple of days because of my social life, which caused a bit of a reading slump, but those last 150 pages were just a breeze to read, as well as the first part of the book before my mini break and completion.
November 12, 2019
David Dalglish seems to go in another direction from the first three books in this series. I continue to believe in Dalglish, I genuinely like the story, the characters and the intensity of the action, however, I do not believe this is the direction I would have chosen. There were some strong character additions with ferocious battles which I enjoyed. Then there are dark, brutal and savage happenings which at the best, were confusing and at the least, wholly not necessary to story direction, since the book ended with a seemingly limited direction in which to grow. Again, I am a fan and intend to continue series for at least one more book, but I am disheartened and disappointed.
August 13, 2012
Full Review Originally at Fantasy Book Critic
ANALYSIS: David Dalglish’s previous trilogy was a revelation for me as it introduced me to the author as well his dynamic storytelling prowess. The series was supposed to focus on Haern’s origins and explore his need to become the person he is currently. It was a dark and unforgiving series that was tough on all of its characters, ruthless in character deaths and perhaps the author’s homage to Batman's beginnings. The final book however didn’t complete the arc as set by the first book and the author has spoken a bit about it in this guest post.
The trappings of the trilogy was that a son rebelled against his father’s wishes and that was the underpinning that powered the main character as well as galvanized the readers as they wanted to see how it would end. While the original trilogy didn’t exactly end on that note, the current trilogy plays out to that very end. It also serves as a bridge between the Half-Orc series, the Shadowdance trilogy as well as the Paladin series. The main theater of action would be set in the city of Veldaren primarily and also focusing on other regions as per the story dictates. The book also aims to bring together all the characters and infuse the story to make it an explosive one.
The story begins the king of Veldaren receiving a letter of intent from Victor Kane, lord of a nearby region who wishes to accomplish a task that no one has attempted so far. He wishes to rid the city of all its thieves, murderers and other scum. To do so, he has brought his own private army and is ready to start his mission. Alyssa Gemcroft has recovered from the events of the city of Angelport nearly two years ago and she has learnt to be more cunning while also growing in her economic strength. She however is unprepared for a new surprise that awaits her in mansion of a fellow trifect member. Zusa is resilient and has constantly been the pillar of support for Alyssa in many ways however she will have to face demons and problems from her past as well and this time it might just be enough to break her. Then there’s Thren Felhorn, the greatest and most feared guild lord who is still trying to regain his lost glory and lastly there’s the Widow who is going around on a killing spree motivated by reasons stranger than most men can fathom.
Thus begins the first volume of the Watcher’s Blade trilogy which attempts to fuse the character driven storyline of its preceding trilogy with the epic action and intrigue of the sequel Half-orc series. This powder-keg is all set to explode and explode it does, in a spectacularly brutal onslaught. The prologue opens with a riddle and a murder and then quickly the plot threads and characters are introduced with enough of a background presented for all new readers to get caught up adequately and for returning readers to whet their memories. The highlights of David’s previous books are spectacularly present, beginning with rapid pace of the story, multiple plot lines, intriguing characterization and sharp plot twists.
The best part however, is the characterization beginning with Haern and his troubled past, this series is basically about the confrontation that has been ordained between Haern and his father. The seeds for the confrontation were laced in the first two books of the Shadowdance trilogy and it’s in this book can the reader see them coming to fruition. There’s also Alyssa, Zusa, Thren, Victor Kane and a few other characters who each have their own plans and work towards their own ends. The equally awesome part is that while the series is about the Watcher, in this book the focus is shared by many characters each of whom can be confidently considered as a compelling protagonist or antagonist (depending on how you view their story).
This multifaceted character approach makes this story come alive tremendously as the reader is kept guessing on all fronts and something is happening in each POV character thread to keep the plot tension high strung. In this regards, the plot confusion and the thriller aspect of the story really shine through. The pace of the book also seems to make the book more akin to a thriller and this is another plus point in regards to the book. I can’t say that this book has no drawbacks to it but for the type of story I like to read, it had everything; tense mystery, believable characterization, epic action and lastly a strong authorial grasp on the story. All of this along with the book’s humor that is present but in minute amounts and is character specific which makes this story a fantastic read.
Lastly while this is a sequel trilogy, newer readers will have no problems jumping in and picking up the story, and for the older, returning readers this book is a crossroads of all the three previously written series thereby giving them a big crossover high. The author has commented upon this aspect in the afterword and it shows in the book as we come across a wide array of characters that confabulate and conflict to give the readers a rousing tale. The plot threads come to a reasonable conclusion at the end of this book and the reader is left with a big hint of the story direction of the next book Blood Of The Father.
CONCLUSION: David Dalglish is an anomaly of sorts, his books while seeming generic are turning out to be a unique combination of dark fantasy and exciting thriller modes, thereby giving the readers a potent story and making sure they are left wanting more. I was hooked with the previous trilogy and this one does more of the same in spades. If you truly wish to discover a fantastic new author, give this book a try or if you want, start with book I of the Shadowdance trilogy and experience the origin story as its unfolds epically.
March 7, 2017
4.5 Stars
A Dance of Shadows (Shadowdance #4) by David Dalglish is a fantasy cut to my liking making this the type of novel that I would like to read every day. David Dalglish has created a series that can stand up with the greats. The Shadowdance Trilogy reminded me a great deal of Brent Weeks Night Angel series, one that I really loved, and all things considered this series is every bit as good as that one, maybe even better. After the conclusion of book three A Dance of Shadows I like every one else thought that was the end for our beloved hero and his world. Thankfully for all is fans that was not to be the case. A Dance of Shadows is a dark continuation to the world.
The Shadowdance series is more than just a game of power plays with assassins. The dark magic that is prevalent throughout the series is done with a subtle hand. The spell casting is rare but made all the more magical. It is one of the main reasons that makes this series better than the rest. A Dance of Shadows plays out magic almost as much as it does it's swordplay.
I loved the action within. David Dalglish purposefully has created a character in the Watcher that is an homage to the dark Elf Drizzt Do'Urden. Funny thing is the writing of David Dalglish also seems to be a direct homage and similarity to the amazing R.A. Salvatore. Both of these men choreograph their actions scenes through their writing. It is incredible how detailed they get. Every swing of the sword, step, twist, turn, bend, and jump is spelled out in such a way that the reader gets to go along for the ride...It is freaking awesome. In case I didn't make myself clear Dalglish, like Salvatore, spell out their action in such a way that you feel like you are there. It is remarkable and not very common in the genre.
Dalglish is more than just action his characters and setting feel real and alive...
"Victor took a deep breath, and he thought of his mother and father, sitting opposite him in the coach as the mob surrounded them. No one should be that afraid, he decided. Not ever again. “I will,” he said. “Forgive my moment of doubt.” The Watcher grinned. “Good. Continue on as you have. As for me, well…” A change came over the Watcher, hardening those blue eyes. A chill swept through Victor as he realized he saw what others must see when the cloaked man descended from the rooftops, sabers drawn, fury in his every movement. “I’ll handle the monsters.”"
A Dance of Shadows is a story about power players and twists and turns (not just from the blades poking through another person's back). It is a story about destiny, law, and pride. It was great. Well, I absolutely loved the original trilogy and this continuation to the series is very welcome in my book. It is action at its finest. I cannot wait to read more about Haern and to explore the other works by David Dalglish. My highest recommendations!
A Dance of Shadows (Shadowdance #4) by David Dalglish is a fantasy cut to my liking making this the type of novel that I would like to read every day. David Dalglish has created a series that can stand up with the greats. The Shadowdance Trilogy reminded me a great deal of Brent Weeks Night Angel series, one that I really loved, and all things considered this series is every bit as good as that one, maybe even better. After the conclusion of book three A Dance of Shadows I like every one else thought that was the end for our beloved hero and his world. Thankfully for all is fans that was not to be the case. A Dance of Shadows is a dark continuation to the world.
The Shadowdance series is more than just a game of power plays with assassins. The dark magic that is prevalent throughout the series is done with a subtle hand. The spell casting is rare but made all the more magical. It is one of the main reasons that makes this series better than the rest. A Dance of Shadows plays out magic almost as much as it does it's swordplay.
I loved the action within. David Dalglish purposefully has created a character in the Watcher that is an homage to the dark Elf Drizzt Do'Urden. Funny thing is the writing of David Dalglish also seems to be a direct homage and similarity to the amazing R.A. Salvatore. Both of these men choreograph their actions scenes through their writing. It is incredible how detailed they get. Every swing of the sword, step, twist, turn, bend, and jump is spelled out in such a way that the reader gets to go along for the ride...It is freaking awesome. In case I didn't make myself clear Dalglish, like Salvatore, spell out their action in such a way that you feel like you are there. It is remarkable and not very common in the genre.
Dalglish is more than just action his characters and setting feel real and alive...
"Victor took a deep breath, and he thought of his mother and father, sitting opposite him in the coach as the mob surrounded them. No one should be that afraid, he decided. Not ever again. “I will,” he said. “Forgive my moment of doubt.” The Watcher grinned. “Good. Continue on as you have. As for me, well…” A change came over the Watcher, hardening those blue eyes. A chill swept through Victor as he realized he saw what others must see when the cloaked man descended from the rooftops, sabers drawn, fury in his every movement. “I’ll handle the monsters.”"
A Dance of Shadows is a story about power players and twists and turns (not just from the blades poking through another person's back). It is a story about destiny, law, and pride. It was great. Well, I absolutely loved the original trilogy and this continuation to the series is very welcome in my book. It is action at its finest. I cannot wait to read more about Haern and to explore the other works by David Dalglish. My highest recommendations!
March 23, 2020
This story does not stop. It is fast as fast pace can be and still manages not to feel over done. That is talent. Also, therein exists some substantial character development. I can't hate the Theran, not at all. Then there is Heran and his crew, adoreable amongst bloodshed. I love finding a very clever self published author.
August 6, 2022
This book felt more mature. The plot has evolved so the characters really shine. Loved the addition of new characters and what they brought to the book. The ending was genius, gave me goosebumps. Going to read the next one now. Can’t wait..!!
December 19, 2024
MY COMFORT SERIES JDDIDNDUENR
“I’ve heard stories about their dungeons that make Thren seem like a pretty butterly.”
“I must say,” Thren said, glancing about Tarlak’s room. “I think I expected more. And forgive me if I may be so bold, wizard, but I don’t think anyone has ever referred to me as a pretty butterfly in my entire life. So, please—don’t do it again.”
“I’ve heard stories about their dungeons that make Thren seem like a pretty butterly.”
“I must say,” Thren said, glancing about Tarlak’s room. “I think I expected more. And forgive me if I may be so bold, wizard, but I don’t think anyone has ever referred to me as a pretty butterfly in my entire life. So, please—don’t do it again.”
June 9, 2014
Definitely an improvement on the last title, "A Dance of Death". Haern and company are back in Veldaren, where they belong, and their personal stories are finally able to make some progress. Zusa, especially, finally gets some much deserved attention, after being little more than an extra set of blades since the end of the first novel. Haern is once again faced with trying to single-handedly keep an entire city full of thieves in check, and has to deal with the increasingly clear fact that he won't be able to do it forever.
There's a lot going on in Veldaren, perhaps too much. Some dangerous enemies are done away with quickly and with little fanfare. An incredibly dangerous group shows up, makes a powerful first showing...and then don't manage anything more. There are too many players to give more than a few the attention they deserve. Even the allies Haern has gained don't really do much more than support him; their motivations and thoughts don't get any attention at all. This includes the ongoing, sort of romance he has with Delysia. Mostly, she's relegated to being a healing battery and occasional background spellcaster. If there's going to be a romance, it should get more than a page before being swept under the rug.
There are definitely more novels on the way, but it looks like, once again, the focus will be leaving Veldaren. That was a spectacular failure previously, I can only hope the author manages a better job trying it again.
There's a lot going on in Veldaren, perhaps too much. Some dangerous enemies are done away with quickly and with little fanfare. An incredibly dangerous group shows up, makes a powerful first showing...and then don't manage anything more. There are too many players to give more than a few the attention they deserve. Even the allies Haern has gained don't really do much more than support him; their motivations and thoughts don't get any attention at all. This includes the ongoing, sort of romance he has with Delysia. Mostly, she's relegated to being a healing battery and occasional background spellcaster. If there's going to be a romance, it should get more than a page before being swept under the rug.
There are definitely more novels on the way, but it looks like, once again, the focus will be leaving Veldaren. That was a spectacular failure previously, I can only hope the author manages a better job trying it again.
July 3, 2012
I love Hearn and the author spares the reader nothing in furthering the story of his complexity, morally problematic life and the brutal world in which he does his work. Sometimes in creating back story an author can get tripped up in the details. Dalglish here soars as he writes in a world he clearly loves.
May 14, 2017
This book managed to improve on the third book in some ways, but falls short in others. My primary complaint about the previous book (and the first two as well, but book three was the worst) was the rather absurd battles, where the main character takes down absurd numbers of opponents in battle. This book handles that issue better, with the characters mostly either fighting one-on-one, or needing a team to deal with a group of opponents. There's one section where Haern takes down about a dozen men by himself, but he does it by ambushing them from behind while they're fighting someone else, generally making it a lot more believable. So from that angle, it's a major improvement.
On the other hand, the overall storyline and events simply weren't as interesting to me as the previous book. Thren makes his return, and he's a fascinating character, but the Widow character wound up being a massive disappointment, and the book simply doesn't have nearly as much political depth as the previous book, relying primarily on a new guild trying to muscle in and take over the city while a new lord tries to clean up the city and the temple of Karak is... Well, doing *something*, I guess. Their part in all this didn't really seem to make all that much sense, though maybe that'll be cleared up in book 5.
On the other hand, the overall storyline and events simply weren't as interesting to me as the previous book. Thren makes his return, and he's a fascinating character, but the Widow character wound up being a massive disappointment, and the book simply doesn't have nearly as much political depth as the previous book, relying primarily on a new guild trying to muscle in and take over the city while a new lord tries to clean up the city and the temple of Karak is... Well, doing *something*, I guess. Their part in all this didn't really seem to make all that much sense, though maybe that'll be cleared up in book 5.
January 3, 2023
Even though I slowly read this book during a reading slump, I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Listening to the audio on Scribd while reading alone definitely helped.
I love how Dalglish doesn’t shy away from the gruesome parts of the dark underbelly of Veldaren.
Hearn faces old challenges from his past along with new enemies.
The added exploration and backstory for many of the already know characters was great and really makes one care and love them more throughout the series.
Looking forward to reading the rest of this series.
Some spoiler notes for myself: 🙃
- Daverik is Zusa’s ex boyfriend, and a priest for the order of Karak.
- All the Bloodcrafts were killed by Hearn and his squad
- Stephen Connington was crossdressjng as a woman and killed many and took their eyeballs as throphies as “the Widow”
- Alyssa almost died and has lost her eyes. They were cut out by Stephen
- Thren’s guild has pretty much disappeared
- Thren has killed Grayson, who is his brother in law.
- All mentioned faceless women are dead. What is Daverik going to do now? (Besides being a gross pervert)
- Melody is creepy as hell and tries to get Nathaniel to convert to the worship is Karak.
I love how Dalglish doesn’t shy away from the gruesome parts of the dark underbelly of Veldaren.
Hearn faces old challenges from his past along with new enemies.
The added exploration and backstory for many of the already know characters was great and really makes one care and love them more throughout the series.
Looking forward to reading the rest of this series.
Some spoiler notes for myself: 🙃
- Daverik is Zusa’s ex boyfriend, and a priest for the order of Karak.
- All the Bloodcrafts were killed by Hearn and his squad
- Stephen Connington was crossdressjng as a woman and killed many and took their eyeballs as throphies as “the Widow”
- Alyssa almost died and has lost her eyes. They were cut out by Stephen
- Thren’s guild has pretty much disappeared
- Thren has killed Grayson, who is his brother in law.
- All mentioned faceless women are dead. What is Daverik going to do now? (Besides being a gross pervert)
- Melody is creepy as hell and tries to get Nathaniel to convert to the worship is Karak.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 12, 2018
Quickly losing interest in this series. Hearn is becoming a one-note character, and a boring one at that. Alyssa and Zusa are the only characters who I feel anything about, and considering the large cast, it's just not enough. The final 80 pages or so were pretty riveting, but it didn't quite make up for the rest of the book, which dragged pretty often. The Widow storyline was the best one, but it didn't get enough attention. The other subplots ranged from mildly interesting to bloated and dull. The villains get more and more ludicrous with each book, to the point of becoming almost unintentionally comical, and character motivations seem to serve only the plot and not the characters themselves. Even the action scenes are getting predictable. with only two books left in the series, I know I'll continue, but I'm not nearly as invested as I once was.
January 17, 2022
Just when you think David Dalglish can't come up with any more twists and drama to throw at our favorite characters, he surprises you.
In an unexpected upset, the Watcher's world is changing and it looks like he might not be able to keep up! New characters really create the perfect tension in the story and give us new villains to love/hate. The story had me on the edge of my seat reading as fast as I could to see if Zusa made it out of her predicament, if Thren would finally confirm his suspicions about the Watcher, and who the heck the Widow really was.
Dalglish really ups the ante with this story and the ending left me stunned. Jumped right into the next book to see how things all play out.
In an unexpected upset, the Watcher's world is changing and it looks like he might not be able to keep up! New characters really create the perfect tension in the story and give us new villains to love/hate. The story had me on the edge of my seat reading as fast as I could to see if Zusa made it out of her predicament, if Thren would finally confirm his suspicions about the Watcher, and who the heck the Widow really was.
Dalglish really ups the ante with this story and the ending left me stunned. Jumped right into the next book to see how things all play out.
February 7, 2022
The Story is fast-paced, and the action sequences are written superbly. My issue is that by book 4 of this series, there is very little character development, and honestly think the author placed the "watcher" in a guild was so he had easy access to magic and a healer, honestly for someone who is supposed to be the baddest and most deadly person around he sure needs to be healed a lot. That also brings me to my last gripe. I am getting tired of these characters getting stabbed, cut, beaten, or tortured but still able to function, and this is FREQUENT. I will finish the series because of the aspects I like about it, but I am going to take a break for a while and read stories with more substance to them first.
March 27, 2024
Very similar to a Dance of Cloaks. Fast paced, lots of story lines that only really connect at the end, and some awesome characters. This book does a great job of setting up books 5 and 6 but as a standalone is only okay. The Widow is an interesting and somewhat creepy character and Victor adds some much needed fire to Velderan. Threns character development was somewhat sudden but I’m looking forward to his parts in the upcoming books. Im also pleased with David’s desire to expand the world past Velderan with the rest of the series. Excited for book 5!
October 12, 2017
Overall, I enjoyed this book. The combat scenes were fast and brutal. I enjoy David Dalglish's writing style. One thing that would keep me from giving this 5 Stars is that the character development for Haern was lacking a bit. It was off set by the development of Zusa. However, there were several other players introduced, which almost made it tricky to keep everyone's motives straight. I would still recommend this book, but of the Shadowdance series, this is my least favorite so far.
June 29, 2024
AWESOME! A note from the Author....I hated this book, is the way it starts. Sir, you are a gentleman and a scholar. I've forgotten halve the books I've read and this is my first review. Mercenary work does not suit me well.....LOL. A note from the Author at the end was a very pleasant surprise and the honestly was refreshing. I really liked this series and the Author even more. Please keep them coming!
December 18, 2024
It started off badly. I felt it didn’t pick up the thread of book three. It felt repetitive to earlier themes and I read it without enthusiasm. In the authors note at the end he claims to have hated this book. I had to agree. However it did improve in the last quarter. Enough for me to improve my feelings about it. The characters grew. The plot shifted. I’m undecided on the next book in the series.
March 7, 2018
Lots of Fighting
Good continuation to the story. This book in particular has a ton of fighting sequences and it's super violent. There's plenty of gore and creepy scenes too (particularly one involving Stephen). There's a new threat coming to Veldaren and I'm curious what comes next.
Good continuation to the story. This book in particular has a ton of fighting sequences and it's super violent. There's plenty of gore and creepy scenes too (particularly one involving Stephen). There's a new threat coming to Veldaren and I'm curious what comes next.
August 19, 2021
There is no holding back in this one. Fight, fight, fight. Loads of fightening, no one is safe and so many different stories and threads running at the same time.
I loved this book. Its great teying to guess who might be who or what exactly people are up too.
Its full of action, full of fun and great writting.
Highly recommend it to all.
I loved this book. Its great teying to guess who might be who or what exactly people are up too.
Its full of action, full of fun and great writting.
Highly recommend it to all.
January 24, 2018
Wow! This is by far the best book in the series! I loved everything about it!
I especially enjoyed the allegorical elements that apply so aptly to our society. I'm not sure the author intended it to work this way, but I certainly appreciated the connection as I read.
I especially enjoyed the allegorical elements that apply so aptly to our society. I'm not sure the author intended it to work this way, but I certainly appreciated the connection as I read.
May 17, 2019
I liked the first few in the series. But at this point, I'm just, not interested anymore. Maybe I will give it a shot again later on. But I just feel like it's the same thing, over and over. He should have stopped at the 3rd book.
I did not finish this one.
I did not finish this one.
August 2, 2020
Very much enjoyed this one - much better than the last! We're back in Veldaren - this time more politic-ing, new players in the race to control the city and a few twists and turns on the way. All this along with the killing we've come to expect from The Watcher & the guilds.
October 30, 2024
Similar to the first 3, as in, good, but not great. Probably closer to 3.5 stars. Overall an enjoyable, fun, book. I like that this is the start of a story arc that will progress over 3 books. Curious to see where it goes.
November 16, 2017
Heavy on action and a fun read.
January 14, 2018
Really enjoyed - another great fast paced installment.
August 1, 2018
Oh boy did I have issues with this one. It could have done so much more with what it had than it actually did. Easy ways out etc. But I have hope for the rest of the books still.
January 5, 2019
I really enjoyed this one! They definitely get better and better with each book!
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